Friday saw the continuous trend in sales, strong leads as well as a distinct buzz around the marina, pavilions and throughout the Village. Despite the rain, the Day 2 of the 24th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show started with Seven’s ‘Sunrise’ program broadcasting the 3-hour show live with the best background of yachts and crowds awaiting opening time.
SCIBS 2012 Pavilion 1
From exhibitors, the message is clear: great crowds, quality buyers, the show is delivering better than expected results.
“We were very happy with Thursday,” said Brett Thurley from Pacific Motor Yachts.“It felt much busier than last year. People were out researching and buying. Then Friday wasbusy,despite the rain. We have a lot of great leads.”
Brett also praised the initiatives to broaden the program and concerted marketing and media promotion of the event. “Sunrise coverage was incredible, and the Gold FM promotion was great too. There’s a lot of good stuff going on. It’s brought a lot of interstate people here – and that had begun to dwindle over the years.”
Seawind Catamarans sold two boats in two days and according to Brent Vaughan, marketing and sales manager, they are “ecstatic”.
“Yes, we have sold two boats – a new 950 before lunch on the first day and a new 1000XL2 Friday. If that keeps up, we’ll be thrilled,” says Brent, anticipating a strong turn out today with the return of blue skies.
SCIBS 2012 Seven's Sunrise Program
The 950 is going in to a charter fleet in the Whitsundays and the XL2 is privately owned, bought by a local couple to do some cruising up and down the coast. “We’ve been flat out, really busy, especially on the Thursday. Today we are hopeful that the people who were frightened off by the rain will turn up.”
Aaron Hawke from Powerdive, an exhibitor from Perth reported “selling gear all day” on the opening day. “We had a top Thursday, and Friday was alright too”.
Superior Jetties John Hogan, who is attending his 24th SCIBS is celebrating four confirmed orders and more on the way. “We have taken four orders and have half a dozen lined up behind them. We have a client coming back over the weekend to buy the $75,000 boat lift which is the biggest in the range. It’s shaping up to be a great show!”
Carl Amor from Aqualuma is at the boat show to support distributors. “This year’s event is a very good show, with strong international turn out. Our distributors are selling. I’d say it’s way better than last year.”
During Friday, Define Watches were pleased to sell a SINN brand precision watch, one of their premium range German timepieces exhibiting for the first time, and are hopeful of selling more over the weekend. “There’s a lot of interest and in the long-term it will be good for us,” says David Petzold.
According to its Captain, the stunning Sunseeker Predator 64 yacht from South Australia is close to sale, following repeated visits by one interested party who is bringing his family back over the weekend for their nod of approval.
